Copenhagen Tops 2025 Global Liveability Index, Overtaking Vienna

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Copenhagen has officially dethroned Vienna as the world’s most livable city, according to the latest Global Liveability Index by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). The Danish capital claimed the top position for 2025, ending Vienna’s three-year streak at No. 1.

The EIU’s annual rankings evaluate 173 cities worldwide, scoring them on key categories such as healthcare, education, infrastructure, stability, and environment. Copenhagen earned perfect scores in stability, education, and infrastructure—propelling it to the top after finishing second in 2024.

Top Contenders
Vienna, despite dropping one place, still shares the No. 2 spot with Zurich, Switzerland. Rounding out the top 10 are:

4. Melbourne, Australia

5. Geneva, Switzerland

6. Sydney, Australia

7. Osaka, Japan

8. Auckland, New Zealand

9. Adelaide, Australia

10. Vancouver, Canada

Honolulu ranked highest among U.S. cities, landing at No. 23.

Why Vienna Dropped
Vienna’s slide to second was largely attributed to a decline in its stability score. Notably, a bomb threat in 2024 forced the cancellation of a major Taylor Swift concert, contributing to security concerns flagged in this year’s assessment.

“Global liveability has remained flat over the past year,” said Barsali Bhattacharyya, the EIU’s Deputy Industry Director. “As in 2024, scores for stability have declined at a global level.”

Other Movers and Shakers
Several U.K. cities—including Manchester, London, and Edinburgh—also saw reduced stability scores, linked to social unrest following a high-profile stabbing and the spread of online misinformation that fueled anti-immigration riots.

In Canada, Calgary fell from 5th to 18th, due to weaker healthcare ratings. Toronto slipped from 12th to 16th, while Vancouver, although still in the top 10, dropped from 7th to 10th.

Meanwhile, some cities made noteworthy gains. Al Khobar in Saudi Arabia rose 13 spots to 135, while Jakarta, Indonesia, climbed from 142 to 132, thanks to improvements in stability.

Top 10 Most Livable Cities – 2025

1. Copenhagen, Denmark

2. Vienna, Austria

3. Zurich, Switzerland

4. Melbourne, Australia

5. Geneva, Switzerland

6. Sydney, Australia

7. Osaka, Japan

8. Auckland, New Zealand

9. Adelaide, Australia

10. Vancouver, Canada

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